Viljoen posted graphic pictures of the injured lion to the SANParks - Kruger National Park group on Facebook, triggering a heated reaction among users.

She wrote that her safari group 'found the lion in the road clearly asking for help', adding that she attempted to summon help for the lion without avail.

To this, one group member commented: 'I would like to see what is SANPark's reply on this....if they are going to reply at all. They are just getting money from visitors and donors, but do not care about the animals'.

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After hundreds of comments, another group member said: 'I understand everyone is concerned about the lion in the snare. But can people please control their emotions? SANPark rangers are looking out for it and will attend to the animal as soon as the necessary equipment and medication are available.'

Injured lion can easily die from infection or be killed by packs of hyena, but this particular big cat can consider itself lucky as vets managed to remove the device after working round-the-clock to save him.

The park's veterinary team (pictured) worked round-the-clock to patch up the lion

Kruger National Park members were criticised on Facebook for the alleged slow response in finding the lion

Meike and Meliska (second and third from the left) were both on a safari in the park when they found the injured animal

At one point, the experts thought they might have to put the animal down because the snare had pierced one of its eyes.

But eventually the good news was posted to Facebook by the Wildheart Wildlife Foundation. 'All went well. The lion is now awake and will be monitored.'

He later returned into the wild.

Lions have soft skin and as they follow along game trails in national parks in search of prey, they are susceptible to getting caught in the traps.

Park rangers believe hunters may have laid the snare in the hope of catching smaller animals for food.